Preparations for the departure of the 23 Yordei Hasira Boat
The Jewish Agency was asked to allocate a sabotage mission force, and the task was assigned to the Hagana organization. Twenty three volunteers were chosen from among the graduates of the Commando course that was concluded several weeks prior to the mission.
During February-March of 1941, on the premises of the Exhibition Grounds in northern Tel Aviv, a preparation course was conducted for sabotage and intelligence operations. Aharon Lishevsky (Leshem) was the commander on behalf of the Hagana, and Captain G. Hammond was the commander on behalf of the British SOE organization. Several dozen volunteers participated in the course, most of who had already undergone naval courses held by the Hagana, and had acquired operational, naval or land experience in its units. The British provided sabotage and communication training.
During April 1941, a plan to capture Syria and Lebanon from the Vichy government was developed by British HQ. The plan also included sabotage operations before occupation, such as bombing of German planes posted in airports in Syria, and sabotage of the refineries in Tripoli, that were supposed to supply fuel for the planes.
The Jewish Agency was asked to allocate a sabotage operation force, and the task was assigned to the Hagana organization. Twenty three volunteers were chosen from among the graduates of the Commando course that was concluded several weeks prior to the mission.
Zvi Spector was appointed as the commander of the operation, and among his twenty two subordinates were fighters with previous combat experience in the Mobile Unit (Nodedet), field companies, special night squads and as well as illegal immigration (Katriel Yeffe, Amiram Shochat and others). Attached to the fighters was Major Sir Anthony Palmer, as an observer on behalf of the initiating party.
During April 1941, a plan to capture Syria and Lebanon from the Vichy government was developed by British HQ. The plan also included sabotage operations before occupation, such as bombing of German planes posted in airports in Syria, and sabotage of the refineries in Tripoli, that were supposed to supply fuel for the planes.
The Jewish Agency was asked to allocate a sabotage operation force, and the task was assigned to the Hagana organization. Twenty three volunteers were chosen from among the graduates of the Commando course that was concluded several weeks prior to the mission.
Zvi Spector was appointed as the commander of the operation, and among his twenty two subordinates were fighters with previous combat experience in the Mobile Unit (Nodedet), field companies, special night squads and as well as illegal immigration (Katriel Yeffe, Amiram Shochat and others). Attached to the fighters was Major Sir Anthony Palmer, as an observer on behalf of the initiating party.